FIFA find 'insufficient evidence' of doping in Russia World Cup squad
Tuesday 22 May 2018 16:39, UK
All members of Russia's World Cup squad have been cleared to play at the tournament, after FIFA found "insufficient evidence" of anti-doping violations.
An assessment of information and evidence contained in the McLaren reports - an independent report released in two parts by professor Richard McLaren into allegations of state-sponsored doping in Russia - was carried out by FIFA, with the support of scientific and legal experts.
Samples taken by FIFA and the confederations stored at WADA-accredited laboratories of all players mentioned in the McLaren reports were re-analysed for prohibited substances, with all results negative.
A FIFA statement read: "Following the publication of the McLaren reports, FIFA launched investigations into possible anti-doping rule violations by football players, prioritising high-level players against whom a suspicion had been raised, in particular those who might participate in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
"FIFA can today confirm that the investigations concerning all Russian players named for the provisional squad of the FIFA World Cup in Russia have been completed, with the result that insufficient evidence was found to assert an anti-doping rule violation.
"FIFA has informed the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) of its conclusions, and WADA, in turn, has agreed with FIFA's decision to close the cases."
The governing body revealed the Russia squad has been one of the most tested teams prior to this summer's World Cup.
Investigations into unnamed players not going to the World Cup are ongoing.
